Handyman Special
Renovating that old house on Market Street

November 30

As promised here are some "before" pics. As I continue to demolish the interior the house is looking less and less like the old lady's home it was. These first four shots are all of the living room. Note the two-toned wallpaper. The light colored areas are where pictures protected the wall from the years of heavy (I assume) tobacco smoking. As a cautionary note to all you puffers of various tobaccos, Mrs. Melendy left her house pulling an oxygen tank behind her.

This first shot is looking west. The kitchen ell is through the opening at the left. The small doorway leads to a bathroom, installed within the last couple years for Betty since she couldn't get upstairs.








This shot is looking east towards the front of the house. The doorway at the left leads to the cellar.

Here we're looking south at the side entry door that leads to the porch. The large windows will be appreciated, especially in winter when the sun skims across the top of Washburton hill just down the road. These days the sun sets here around 4pm. By the time I pick Ramon up at the daycare on the days I work at the college, it's dark. Getting light into the house during the winter months will be key to our psychological well-being.

And the kitchen, looking toward the northwest corner. The pantry is on the right and you can see a mop handle sticking out of the sink. There's a small window out of view above the sink. The remodeling plans are still on the drawing board but most likely the pantry walls will come down to make for a larger open space.

Here's looking at the southeast and southwest corners. Gotta love the turquoise range. That stove is actually placed where the old wood or coal stove was placed as there's an old chimney walled-up right there in the center of the south wall. Our plan is to put the chimney back into use for a wood stove where we can sit around listening to Neil Young sing, "I'm thankful for my country home...."

Well, that's it for now. I gotta get some sleep. The demolition work is really starting to catch up with my body. I've had sore muscles since sunday and we're just getting into midweek.

Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving and didn't overdo it on the pie. Check back soon and drop me line so I know my web efforts are worth it,

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